Raygun owner: 'Everybody is welcome in the store,' but have a sense of humor

Raygun owner Mike Draper has written a play about a Midwestern clothing store that stars Iowa Nice Guy Scott Siepker. It is premiering at Grand View University's Viking Theater in February.
Rodney White/The Register

The author, Kyle B. Day is the legislative secretary to State Sen. Jim Carlin (R-Sioux City), considers whether or not he would be truly welcome at the "progressive" store:

"... I was saddened to discover the newer inventory offered by the local printed-product retailer Raygun. Several lines ... feature products promulgating ideologically charged (in some cases, borderline defamatory) messages on some of the most culturally divisive political issues of our time, from abortion to gun control and the environment."

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Draper said he believes the slogans on his products run the gambit from poking fun at rural Iowa to progressive humor.

"If we were actually making defamatory statements, we would have been sued by now," Draper said.

He offered examples of when the store has done custom work for clients they don't always agree on issues with, such as the Iowa Farm Bureau and the National Governor's Association. Raygun created coasters, one featuring an image of former Gov. Terry Branstad, for the NGA's 2016 Summer Meeting that was hosted in Iowa.

Coasters created by Raygun for a 2016 NGA event in Iowa, one featuring former Gov. Terry Branstad.(Photo: Raygun/Special to the Register)

"The basic rules of business means you serve everybody regardless of beliefs as long as their organization isn’t tied to hate or violence," Draper said.

Draper also pointed out that it's not just Republicans that his store picks on. Raygun in 2012 refused to let the Secret Service sweep their store in advance of a campaign rally for President Barack Obama. The store also posted a sign on their door that referenced the agency's prostitution scandal that had surfaced earlier that year.

Day also took issue with the retailer mocking some Republicans by name. Raygun has products that apologize to America for Iowa lawmakers such as Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Steve King. Draper says these slogans are not meant to be mean-spirited or personal attacks.

"Steve King is not just a T-shirt shop with an opinion. He is an elected official who makes laws," Draper said. "It’s his specific stances on issues that we take umbrage with."

Draper knows that not everybody is going to agree with the products Raygun produces. "We can agree to disagree on what’s funny," he said. But he maintains his store is an inclusive place for all shoppers.

"This is a public store. Literally, everyone can shop here," he said. "We are an extremely welcoming place."